8/21/2012

I am A-Okay!  When we were in the flood a couple of days ago, I would turn to S. Iosefa and ask how she was.  "Wet." was always her response, he he!  We have had a great time, I will get the pics to Pao for her to put on FB.  Enjoy talking to her!  

We were the only ones in our zone that did not get flooded out.  Next time I will tell more about it.  We really had an awesome time though.  I think we taught a total of 3 lessons the week of the flood, then 1 or 2 lessons per day last week--we taught the same amount of lessons on Sunday as we had the rest of the week!  Mostly doing rescuing and administering relief.  Quite awesome!  You are right Dad about it being a great way to turn people's hearts to God.  I just hope and pray it is permanent.  Unfortunately they are a bit too used to flooding here, even if this has been one of the highest in more than 50 years!  Good news is it was a calm flood--no typhoon, just lots of rain, so no houses were swept away, not serious damage except that done by rising water 

Spiritual Thought:  The Book (within the Book) of Mormon is really starting to become a favorite!   I really appreciate the summaries of Mormon and Moroni of the entire Book of Mormon, and the message they are trying to make to the world.  I really appreciate their great summary statements about the need to believe in Christ, repent, be baptized, etc.  So powerful!  Please read!  I will share just one verse, Mormon 9:29.  Here Moroni reminds us to be baptized and partake of the sacrament worthily.  There is such a great key here.  Michael, you were saying you had a zone leader council about how to increase baptisms and retention--this is one suggestion.  To retain people make sure they are truly ready for baptism, have a true testimony, and that they  have truly repented of their sins and as such are being baptized worthily.  A little while ago President DeLaMare sent us a reminder with a concern:  the presidency was concerned that we are focusing too much on people keeping the commandments, and maybe stopping previous sins, but that they are not truly repenting.  We tend to forget the Godly sorrow and the truly abandoning sins part of repentance and focus only on the stopping and keeping commandments part.  This reminder really hit me--the difference between true repentance and just stopping what you are doing. 

I love you all, and I am so glad to hear you are all doing so great!  Yes, the flood is pretty much gone in our area, but unfortunately there are still members staying in the church from the other area because there is still water, and now it is extremely dirty and gross.  Quite the awesome experience!

LOVE

Sister Biggs

8/10/2012

 We are very pleased with the progress this week, and are so grateful for your prayers and everything the Lord has done to answer them.  Things are opening up for the area to rocket off again!  Wahooo!  Please pray for both of us to truly enjoy the work, be excited to wake up in the morning, have energy, success in getting things moving and accomplished in the area, the members to step it up, our Bishop to be re-energized, and for S. Iosefa to be able to learn the area quickly, the language, and develop the confidence she needs.  Yeah, I know that's a lot of stuff, but we need it and I know it helps!  Thanks!   Marami, maraming salamat!
Spiritual:  4th Nephi & Mormon Chapter 1.  Here we see the dissolution of Zion and the return of the original state of things from the beginning when Lehi and his family arrived in the land (4 Ne v. 39).  Because of the wickedness and willful rebellion of the people, Mormon is forbidden to preach the Word of God unto them, even though he desires to (Mormon 1:16-17).  We learn from these passages the importance of studying history, especially spiritual history (not to mention the avoidance of pride, but that is a whole different topic).  A people who had such a great set-up gave it up and repeated the Same. Exact. Mistake. as their forefathers somehow thinking it was going to turnout better this time.  Yeah.  The results were disastrous, and even worse than that before.  For us:  this means we need to not only read, but apply the things we learn and avoid making the same mistakes as those we learn of in the scriptures.  Otherwise all we will end up doing is continue to repeat the sins of the past with disastrous results and no progression.  Remember, nothing but evil can be gained by willfully rejecting the laws and statues of God!